Abstract
This study presents a new methodology to reveal traces of polyethylene (the most common microplastic particles, known as a structure of C2H4) in a sample of ocean water by the irradiation of a 50 keV, 1 µA electron beam. This is performed by analyzing the photon (produced by the electrons in water) fluxes and spectra (i.e., fluxes as a function of photon energy) with different types of contaminated water using an adequate device and in particular looking at the peculiar interactions of electrons/photons with the potential abnormal atomic hydrogen (H), oxygen (O), carbon (C), and phosphorus (P) compositions present in the water, as a function of living and nonliving organic organisms with PO4 group RNA/DNA strands in a cluster configuration through a volumetric cells grid.
Highlights
Plastic is the most common type of marine debris found in oceans, and it is the most widespread problem affecting the marine environment
The physical model under analysis and its simulation by the MCNPX Monte Carlo simulation subatomic particles code [30–32] are based on an electron beam source of 50 keV and 1 μA, accessible from an extraction line of an industrial linear/circular particle accelerator, interacting with the water sample target
The beam energy and current are based on cross section considerations and radiation requirements; the beam interacts with a cylindrical sample volume—with the axis on x—of ocean water of radius r = 5 cm and height h = 10 cm as s sample tank (Figure 1), which is analyzed at x = 10 cm through a double plates ionization chamber detector
Summary
Plastic is the most common type of marine debris found in oceans, and it is the most widespread problem affecting the marine environment. It threatens ocean health, food safety and quality, human health, and coastal tourism, and it contributes to climate change [1–5]. One of the most common microplastics in use today is polyethylene, with most of the known kinds having the chemical formula (C2 H4 )n. It is a linear, man-made homopolymer primarily used for packaging (plastic bags, plastic films, geomembranes, containers including bottles, etc.). As of 2019, over 100 million tons of polyethylene resins are being produced annually, accounting for 34% of the total plastics market
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
